While the overall numbers remain staggering, China's inbound and domestic tourism was affected by the slowing global economy in 2012.

In October, China's official news agency Xinhua reported that the total number of international tourism arrivals for 2012 was expected to decrease by 2.2 percent, although the country's tourism revenues for the year were expected to increase 16.6 percent, reaching US$412.7 billion.

Compared with previous years, 2012 saw a heightened focus in regional tourism, particularly in the western regions, thanks in part to infrastructure improvements.

The most popular article today on China.org.cn, the official government portal site, is a recap of a Forbes China report on the country's top tourist destinations last year.

According to the China.org.cn article published Sunday, the Forbes rankings were based on six criteria: inbound tourists, domestic tourists, tourism foreign exchange earnings, domestic tourism income, number of starred hotels and number of "outstanding scenic spots."

Check out the gallery above for China's top tourist destinations for 2012.